Boston College – St. Mary’s Hall

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Location
Chestnut Hill, MA
Project Type
Renovation
Duration
24 months
Square Footage
135,000 sf
Partners
DiMella Shaffer Associates; McGinley Kalsow & Associates

Shawmut completed the restoration of St. Mary’s Hall, a historic (c. 1917) Maginnis and Walsh structure and the second-oldest building on Boston College’s Chestnut Hill campus. Located on the iconic Linden Lane, this multi-functional building underwent a comprehensive renovation over two years, incorporating new construction and careful historic preservation methods alongside cutting-edge technology and building information modeling (BIM) expertise.

As one of Boston College’s original buildings, St. Mary’s Hall required both interior and exterior renovations, as well as significant structural improvements. The interior work included enhancements to the historic Jesuit living quarters and St. Mary’s Chapel, alongside the creation of new offices, conference spaces, and an underground parking garage. The team removed and replaced over 15,000 cast-stone elements, including sculptures and custom components, to restore the building’s character. To refresh the exterior, 300 new windows and new Ludowici tile roofing were installed.

To ensure a seamless and efficient renovation process, Shawmut utilized BIM 360 Glue, enabling real-time coordination among team members both in the office and on-site. This technology facilitated the integration of multiple digital models, ensuring the most effective project execution. Various programs were also used to visualize future conditions and resolve issues in real time, keeping all team members informed and aligned throughout the renovation.

Recognition

  • Preservation Massachusetts 2015 Paul E. Tsongas Award
  • Historic Newton Preservation Award: Institutional Sustainability and Preservation
  • The Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute (PCI) 2015 Design Award Winner
  • Best Higher Education Building Category
  • National BAC Craft Award – Best Restoration/Rehabilitation/Maintenance Project
  • Best Higher Education Building Category
  • Honor Award for the Society for College and University Planning (SCUP)/AIA-CAE Excellence in Architecture for Rehabilitation, Restoration or Preservation

a large stone building with a green lawn with Boston College in the background
a altar with flowers and lights
a room with chairs and tables
a long hallway with windows and wood paneling
a large stone building with a lawn and a street light
a large building with a green lawn and a tree
a building with a lawn and benches
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a large stone building with a green lawn with Boston College in the background
a altar with flowers and lights
a room with chairs and tables
a long hallway with windows and wood paneling
a large stone building with a lawn and a street light
a large building with a green lawn and a tree
a building with a lawn and benches